total lack of effort

[GRUMPY BLADE]

Didn't go to Oldham yesterday, but, speaking to people that did it seemed to be same owd, same owd !
I for one am getting really sick to the back teeth with Mr Adkins coming out with the same comments - It is you and your team of coaches' job to get it right !
This is a very poor league and whilst we are not a team of world beaters I am certain that we have enough 'quality' and I use that word very very carefully (you don't have to be a very good player to be the best in this division !!!) to get promotion !
But, and it's a very big BUT, the players have to have the Desire, Passion, Heart, Effort, Fight and Balls to win games but at the moment they do not - They are a set of overpaid, over-hyped whimps of the first degree who appear not to care less if they win, lose or draw !
Mr Adkins came here with a good record in this division - to date he and his team of coaches have not demonstrated any of the qualities attributed to them at previous clubs Scunny and Southampton - Start earning your money Mr Adkins and get some FIGHT into the team or else I fear you will become another statistic in the Sacked Managers Portfolio ! Just ask Mark Cooper !!!

Clough would have been sacked Saturday night if he had delivered what Adkins has done so far.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Just watched Villa on MoTD. There's no doubt their players were 'trying'. But not nearly enough to get a result.



In a nutshell. The excuses are fast running out. Only Done and Sharp are fit to pick up their pay checks at the moment - and which one(s) will be sold in January? People are longing for Brayford's return as if it's the Second Coming. Can I remind folk that his second spell with us was a pale shadow of his loan spell? He got his injury because it was a limp, half-hearted challenge. And that rather sums up United for the past few years. Too many players - and the manager - are simply going through the motions.

Does anybody seriously think signing Hammond will alter the all-pervading atmosphere of gloom that's surrounding BDTBL? No, he'll go the same way as Edgar - good at first but soon sinks back into the torpor that affects the club from top to bottom. I can excuse the players for not having skill - after all that's why they're playing in the Third Division. But lack of effort? No way. That begins and ends at NA's door.

About that paycheque:

Done gave away a needless penalty with a wild swing in the box for Rochdale's first.

He abandoned his defensive duties for the second - possibly as part of a general plan of breaking quickly, but unlikely.

He left his man unmarked for a free header inside the six yard box for Oldham's first yesterday.

He then missed a very good chance to make it 2-1 after he was put through by Adams; slid it under the keeper and wide of an empty net.

From this we conclude..?

 

[longinthe toothblade]

Maybe the style of play, lack of pace and players lack of ability isn't helping

Easy to fix then.........I was beginning to think we had a problem!

 

[longinthe toothblade]

Find that post. Each game as it comes. Always.

The post isn't positive - or negative it's just, aisi, a realistic appraisal of what actually went wrong today. It wasn't lack of effort or anyone's favourite scapegoat - Scoogs and Billy were targets around us today at least till Scoogs set up the first - it was bc we didn't put the ball in the back of the net.

And what about the first 45 mins?

 

[biggey blade]

The ability is there to score goals we concede for to many at the back though and constantly have to our score teams.

Sharp is a goal scorer and for me he is dragged out of position far to much to make up for other players he should be on the edge of the box waiting for the balls to come in so he can do what he is best at doing, scoring goals.

I still disagree with all these people saying if we had taken our chance it would have been totally different and we would have won 3-1 or what ever, if they had have taken there chances they could have won 3-1. I think Howard made 2 very good saves to even keep us in the game, and is always the one who gets the blame.

It was a total lack of effort from all the players on the pitch who never looked like they was going to go and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Numerous times I saw adams just jogging around the pitch and not getting back and helping to defend, or chasing his man back down after he had lost the ball. And that is not to single out any player because they all played like this he is just the one I noticed a lot. Now I know a lot of people are going to say or think he is only young and is still learning the difference between playing non league and playing in league one and that is not what bothers me what bothers me is the fact the effort is not there the will power and the mentality is missing I am sure he will grow and make a good player as the ability is there, he has two good role models in sharp and done who I think will teach him a lot. Mcgahey for me was the best man on the pitch and think he showed a lot of people what he can do. Think he felt like he can play in this side and wanted to prove he is a good player worthy of playing in the side, and I think that is what was missing from the team I feel as if he thought he had to prove him self as when edgar is fit he might loose his place, the rest of them feel as if there starting place is guaranteed.

Sharp has been the most consistent player for me this season and how I can hear people slagging him off I don't know he shows the desire that we are lacking he is a blade through and through and wants to see his team do well and wants to be the player responsible for helping us get out of this poor league but he can't do it alone.

I think adkins has to have a serious word with them all and make them aware that none of them are guaranteed a starting place. I would even go as far as leaving some of them out of the team to show this. Reed and campbell ryce have had very good games when they have played and must be kicking them self's watching the performance from the bench and hardly getting a run on the pitch. I know I have already mentioned this in previous posts but why did campbell ryce not come on when they went down to 10 men? With his ability to run and the defenders and make them pay for having 10 men? He would have been able to have a free run of the pitch and run at the defence and pull them out of position he quite often has two men marking him and against a team of already ten men would have made a lot of space for other players. Why wait till there was under 10 mins left of the game to bring him on. Another of there defenders was on a yellow card and campbell could have run at him and took him on knowing that he would either beat his man or cause him to make a reckless challenge in order to win the ball of him which could have seen him been sent off as he was already walking a tightrope.

I can't only blame the players for the poor game though as I think adkins didn't read the game and waited far to long to make any changes and when he did I feel he got it very wrong. Why play sammon out of position on the left and leave adams not knowing where he was even meant to be playing. Adkins should have changed the game at half time after watching the first half and seeing it wasn't working but instead choose to stand and watch the team play very poor in the hope that some thing would go or way.

Even if we had have won the game I think there still would have been a lot of negative thoughts about the game. How can we go to a team in the bottom 4 play against ten men for nearly half the game and score one goal? These are the matches we should be scoring a hat full in if we are looking to get promotion. We need to be scoring for fun in games like that and make other teams aware of what we are capable of no one is going to see the results come in and see we drew 1-1 with oldham who had ten men for a good majority of the game and think God we have got them next week. We need to have teams running scared of us and thinking we are going to go there and score goals and make them on the back foot from the minute one.

Wigan finally seem to have found what it takes to win teams in this league and feel it was always going to take time for them to adjust to this league, and think they could have found there feet now and think teams will be going into games against them worrying about the result and in so sitting back to try and defend so they don't concede a load of goals there for letting them come on and attack them if we are wanting to play the attacking football like adkins is known for this is how teams should feel about us, but that is yet to happen.

All in all yes we got a point away from home but should have had 3 and scored a lot more goals. And anyone that can sit there and think yes we got a good point away from home and should have won the game are deluded.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

And what about the first 45 mins?

Now we're getting somewhere.

Istm *this* is a real issue - as opposed to an imaginary one about lack of effort.

Several games this season we've only started after half time. Apart from maybe Port Vale where we didn't even do that.

I think we (supporters) could have a productive discussion about this.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The ability is there to score goals we concede for to many at the back though and constantly have to our score teams.

Sharp is a goal scorer and for me he is dragged out of position far to much to make up for other players he should be on the edge of the box waiting for the balls to come in so he can do what he is best at doing, scoring goals.

I still disagree with all these people saying if we had taken our chance it would have been totally different and we would have won 3-1 or what ever, if they had have taken there chances they could have won 3-1. I think Howard made 2 very good saves to even keep us in the game, and is always the one who gets the blame.

It was a total lack of effort from all the players on the pitch who never looked like they was going to go and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Numerous times I saw adams just jogging around the pitch and not getting back and helping to defend, or chasing his man back down after he had lost the ball. And that is not to single out any player because they all played like this he is just the one I noticed a lot. Now I know a lot of people are going to say or think he is only young and is still learning the difference between playing non league and playing in league one and that is not what bothers me what bothers me is the fact the effort is not there the will power and the mentality is missing I am sure he will grow and make a good player as the ability is there, he has two good role models in sharp and done who I think will teach him a lot. Mcgahey for me was the best man on the pitch and think he showed a lot of people what he can do. Think he felt like he can play in this side and wanted to prove he is a good player worthy of playing in the side, and I think that is what was missing from the team I feel as if he thought he had to prove him self as when edgar is fit he might loose his place, the rest of them feel as if there starting place is guaranteed.

Sharp has been the most consistent player for me this season and how I can hear people slagging him off I don't know he shows the desire that we are lacking he is a blade through and through and wants to see his team do well and wants to be the player responsible for helping us get out of this poor league but he can't do it alone.

I think adkins has to have a serious word with them all and make them aware that none of them are guaranteed a starting place. I would even go as far as leaving some of them out of the team to show this. Reed and campbell ryce have had very good games when they have played and must be kicking them self's watching the performance from the bench and hardly getting a run on the pitch. I know I have already mentioned this in previous posts but why did campbell ryce not come on when they went down to 10 men? With his ability to run and the defenders and make them pay for having 10 men? He would have been able to have a free run of the pitch and run at the defence and pull them out of position he quite often has two men marking him and against a team of already ten men would have made a lot of space for other players. Why wait till there was under 10 mins left of the game to bring him on. Another of there defenders was on a yellow card and campbell could have run at him and took him on knowing that he would either beat his man or cause him to make a reckless challenge in order to win the ball of him which could have seen him been sent off as he was already walking a tightrope.

I can't only blame the players for the poor game though as I think adkins didn't read the game and waited far to long to make any changes and when he did I feel he got it very wrong. Why play sammon out of position on the left and leave adams not knowing where he was even meant to be playing. Adkins should have changed the game at half time after watching the first half and seeing it wasn't working but instead choose to stand and watch the team play very poor in the hope that some thing would go or way.

Even if we had have won the game I think there still would have been a lot of negative thoughts about the game. How can we go to a team in the bottom 4 play against ten men for nearly half the game and score one goal? These are the matches we should be scoring a hat full in if we are looking to get promotion. We need to be scoring for fun in games like that and make other teams aware of what we are capable of no one is going to see the results come in and see we drew 1-1 with oldham who had ten men for a good majority of the game and think God we have got them next week. We need to have teams running scared of us and thinking we are going to go there and score goals and make them on the back foot from the minute one.

Wigan finally seem to have found what it takes to win teams in this league and feel it was always going to take time for them to adjust to this league, and think they could have found there feet now and think teams will be going into games against them worrying about the result and in so sitting back to try and defend so they don't concede a load of goals there for letting them come on and attack them if we are wanting to play the attacking football like adkins is known for this is how teams should feel about us, but that is yet to happen.

All in all yes we got a point away from home but should have had 3 and scored a lot more goals. And anyone that can sit there and think yes we got a good point away from home and should have won the game are deluded.

Didn't McGahey totally lose his man for one of the free headers at the back post that Howard saved?

 

[BushBlade]

The evidence of how much of the malaise is in the mind was shown in the way (largely) the same squad of players performed in the FA and League cups over the past 2 seasons.

Understandably they were much more motivated in front of big (motivated) crowds and against better players.*



*The only reason that they are better players being that they are more consistently self - motivated.


Its cruel inducement to try harder but buying good players as competition for existing players can motivate them.
That said I think there is something stupid about assembling a huge squad. What is the point of having 2 players in a squad if you can buy 1 player for twice as much on double their wages?

He will be a better player (possibly twice as good) & you have only spent the same amount of cash as on two mediocrities.

You can only have 11 men on the pitch at one time.

Even though you contradict yourself I tend to think you might have a point.

Our best season down here was the first, when we had a very good first team but not much in the way of backup. The counter argument is that if we'd had back up for KMac, Collins (not Taylor) and Evans (not BT) we'd have gone up.

I think it's a matter of getting the balance right, so we have enough in the squad to not limp into the final month with a load of semi-fit players, but not having five or six players we could probably do without.

I think our biggest problem is that of our permanent signings in the JTW, one appears permanently unable to get properly match fit and two got crocked after joining us. To add to the crocks we already had. We're paying a lot of wages to players who rarely play.

It's not just us either, a lot of clubs seem to be in the same situation.

 

[judge]

About that paycheque:

Done gave away a needless penalty with a wild swing in the box for Rochdale's first.

He abandoned his defensive duties for the second - possibly as part of a general plan of breaking quickly, but unlikely.

He left his man unmarked for a free header inside the six yard box for Oldham's first yesterday.

He then missed a very good chance to make it 2-1 after he was put through by Adams; slid it under the keeper and wide of an empty net.

From this we conclude..?

That you hate matt done ?

 

[biggey blade]

So a player makes one mistake all match and that makes him a bad player? I forgot that he had to have a perfect match for him to play well.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The ability is there to score goals we concede for to many at the back though and constantly have to our score teams.

Sharp is a goal scorer and for me he is dragged out of position far to much to make up for other players he should be on the edge of the box waiting for the balls to come in so he can do what he is best at doing, scoring goals.

I still disagree with all these people saying if we had taken our chance it would have been totally different and we would have won 3-1 or what ever, if they had have taken there chances they could have won 3-1. I think Howard made 2 very good saves to even keep us in the game, and is always the one who gets the blame.

It was a total lack of effort from all the players on the pitch who never looked like they was going to go and take the game by the scruff of the neck. Numerous times I saw adams just jogging around the pitch and not getting back and helping to defend, or chasing his man back down after he had lost the ball. And that is not to single out any player because they all played like this he is just the one I noticed a lot. Now I know a lot of people are going to say or think he is only young and is still learning the difference between playing non league and playing in league one and that is not what bothers me what bothers me is the fact the effort is not there the will power and the mentality is missing I am sure he will grow and make a good player as the ability is there, he has two good role models in sharp and done who I think will teach him a lot. Mcgahey for me was the best man on the pitch and think he showed a lot of people what he can do. Think he felt like he can play in this side and wanted to prove he is a good player worthy of playing in the side, and I think that is what was missing from the team I feel as if he thought he had to prove him self as when edgar is fit he might loose his place, the rest of them feel as if there starting place is guaranteed.

Sharp has been the most consistent player for me this season and how I can hear people slagging him off I don't know he shows the desire that we are lacking he is a blade through and through and wants to see his team do well and wants to be the player responsible for helping us get out of this poor league but he can't do it alone.

I think adkins has to have a serious word with them all and make them aware that none of them are guaranteed a starting place. I would even go as far as leaving some of them out of the team to show this. Reed and campbell ryce have had very good games when they have played and must be kicking them self's watching the performance from the bench and hardly getting a run on the pitch. I know I have already mentioned this in previous posts but why did campbell ryce not come on when they went down to 10 men? With his ability to run and the defenders and make them pay for having 10 men? He would have been able to have a free run of the pitch and run at the defence and pull them out of position he quite often has two men marking him and against a team of already ten men would have made a lot of space for other players. Why wait till there was under 10 mins left of the game to bring him on. Another of there defenders was on a yellow card and campbell could have run at him and took him on knowing that he would either beat his man or cause him to make a reckless challenge in order to win the ball of him which could have seen him been sent off as he was already walking a tightrope.

I can't only blame the players for the poor game though as I think adkins didn't read the game and waited far to long to make any changes and when he did I feel he got it very wrong. Why play sammon out of position on the left and leave adams not knowing where he was even meant to be playing. Adkins should have changed the game at half time after watching the first half and seeing it wasn't working but instead choose to stand and watch the team play very poor in the hope that some thing would go or way.

Even if we had have won the game I think there still would have been a lot of negative thoughts about the game. How can we go to a team in the bottom 4 play against ten men for nearly half the game and score one goal? These are the matches we should be scoring a hat full in if we are looking to get promotion. We need to be scoring for fun in games like that and make other teams aware of what we are capable of no one is going to see the results come in and see we drew 1-1 with oldham who had ten men for a good majority of the game and think God we have got them next week. We need to have teams running scared of us and thinking we are going to go there and score goals and make them on the back foot from the minute one.

Wigan finally seem to have found what it takes to win teams in this league and feel it was always going to take time for them to adjust to this league, and think they could have found there feet now and think teams will be going into games against them worrying about the result and in so sitting back to try and defend so they don't concede a load of goals there for letting them come on and attack them if we are wanting to play the attacking football like adkins is known for this is how teams should feel about us, but that is yet to happen.

All in all yes we got a point away from home but should have had 3 and scored a lot more goals. And anyone that can sit there and think yes we got a good point away from home and should have won the game are deluded.

Good post.

Disagree with much of it, but still...

I'd like to know the reasoning behind playing Sammon on the left. It's happened a number of times.

I wonder if he's on for crossfield aerial balls and instead he was given straight balls to feet which was never going to work, not least bc he'd clearly put his boots on the wrong feet.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

So a player makes one mistake all match and that makes him a bad player? I forgot that he had to have a perfect match for him to play well.

Basically I agree.

And one mistake doesn't equate to a bad game, especially, as Bergen Blade often illustrates, it's a team effort to concede - as much as it is to score.

Just pointing out one enormous glaring error. For me the best response is to publicly support the player, as Adkins has done, and work on whatever went wrong in training.

McGahey is a decent squad player. And it was apparent against Notts County he's very vocal.

I don't see him becoming first choice in a fully fit squad though.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

About that paycheque:

Done gave away a needless penalty with a wild swing in the box for Rochdale's first.

He abandoned his defensive duties for the second - possibly as part of a general plan of breaking quickly, but unlikely.

He left his man unmarked for a free header inside the six yard box for Oldham's first yesterday.

He then missed a very good chance to make it 2-1 after he was put through by Adams; slid it under the keeper and wide of an empty net.

From this we conclude..?

He's one of the better ones.

 

[BushBlade]

Didn't McGahey totally lose his man for one of the free headers at the back post that Howard saved?

Where are you going with all this? You seem so desperate to defend piss poor performances by some of our players that you're having a go at the few that played like they gave a shit.
I'm sure that's not what you intended.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Where are you going with all this? You seem so desperate to defend piss poor performances by some of our players that you're having a go at the few that played like they gave a shit.
I'm sure that's not what you intended.

OP was about lack of effort. I strongly disagreed with that, and the number of sitters, very good, good, and half chances we created supports the idea that we weren't ambling about half-heartedly and/or haphazardly.

OP was more off-target than Baxter's free kick.

Offering some constructive criticism I'd say issues included:
The first half - again
Finishing - again

I genuinely don't know what to make of Done's culpability, but whatever I don't think he should get a free ride.

McGahey - see post above.

I'm not having a go at these players - I see that as utterly pointless.

 

[BushBlade]

OP was about lack of effort. I strongly disagreed with that, and the number of sitters, very good, good, and half chances we created supports the idea that we weren't ambling about half-heartedly and/or haphazardly.

OP was more off-target than Baxter's free kick.

Offering some constructive criticism I'd say issues included:
The first half - again
Finishing - again

I genuinely don't know what to make of Done's culpability, but whatever I don't think he should get a free ride.

McGahey - see post above.

I'm not having a go at these players - I see that as utterly pointless.

Done shouldn't get a free ride but you're not having a go?

And tbh, I don't think creating a few chances against a crap side with ten men proves they all put a massive amount of effort in.

 

[robbiez666]

I think, as mentioned earlier in the thread, the effort the players put in is easily measurable against our cup runs last year. I saw players who looked literally too tired to walk given the amount of effort they'd put in. I saw Baxter being subbed and looking like he'd run two marathons. covered in sweat and could hardly move. Ditto with Murphy.

In the league, I saw none of this. They don't look shattered at the end of games, and you'd expect, unless we've won easily, that they would be.

They aren't giving 100% for 90 minutes. You can't expect that every game, but you'd expect to see it the majority of the time.

 

[Silent Blade]

Endorse everything you have said. Sadly I'm now watching the worst team Blades I've ever seen in my life since 1965 and I include the shit when Longhorn played.

You say that nearly every year!

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

I think, as mentioned earlier in the thread, the effort the players put in is easily measurable against our cup runs last year. I saw players who looked literally too tired to walk given the amount of effort they'd put in. I saw Baxter being subbed and looking like he'd run two marathons. covered in sweat and could hardly move. Ditto with Murphy.

In the league, I saw none of this. They don't look shattered at the end of games, and you'd expect, unless we've won easily, that they would be.

They aren't giving 100% for 90 minutes. You can't expect that every game, but you'd expect to see it the majority of the time.

There's some truth in what happened in the cup games.

Is that level of commitment, effort, sustainable over 46 games?

Do opposition players crawl off the pitch on their hands and knees after 90 minutes in League games?

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Done shouldn't get a free ride but you're not having a go?

And tbh, I don't think creating a few chances against a crap side with ten men proves they all put a massive amount of effort in.

Done has been directly at fault for 2 of the last 3 goals we've conceded but the blame is aimed at the midfield, the Board, the defence, the kit, or whoever is this week's pet hate.

Does his culpability mean:

He's crap
He's not trying
He's trying too hard
He's not match fit
He's out of position
It doesn't matter - it's a team game
He puts himself about and the more you do the more good and bad you do
Other

Like I said - no idea what to make of his role in those goals.

On the bright side if we can create a hatful of chances when we're apparently not even bothering, if we ever do turn up we'll score dozens.

UTMB

 

[robbiez666]

There's some truth in what happened in the cup games.

Is that level of commitment, effort, sustainable over 46 games?

Do opposition players crawl off the pitch on their hands and knees after 90 minutes in League games?

Not sustainable over 46 games, no. but you'd expect to see it fairly regularly.
The opposition players don't crawl off the pitch, but they normally put in more effort than us. We've seen many teams drop-off towards the end of games due to the amount of work they put in first half. This could be a reason why we do so badly in the first 45 minutes.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

There's some truth in what happened in the cup games.

Is that level of commitment, effort, sustainable over 46 games?

Do opposition players crawl off the pitch on their hands and knees after 90 minutes in League games?

Cup games are differant from league games . Its chalk and cheese . No pressure on the players to win as in league games . Players do put effort in , but the balance of the side is still not correct , and our players except a couple do not have mental strength or football brains. Thats why we create our own pressure , always on the back foot , and for periods in a game , take turns in looking lethargic .

These are mid table , or even relegation sydrome traits , not promotion . Adkins has to change this culture and mindset for success,

You do have to aim for sustainability and commitment over a 46 game season , to overcome a loss , or a blip in form. All teams promoted from any league do this

We unfortunately do not have the players to crack the principles for success , and Adkins will know it.

UTB

 

[Lane Ender]

What about under Weir? We were atrocious.

Spooky. Went to my first game in November 1970. Hard to disagree that we are crap at the moment. Just think it will take some minor adjustments to get us in the top two.[/QUOTE]
I'll keep going and I'll support them never boo but minor adjustments you've got to be joking
We need major surgery.
If you're talking top two we need a complete new back four(Brayford will be back soon thank fuck) and a revamp of the midfield the current crop/formations are failing badly.

 

[spongebobblade]

Let's get this right. There is a lack of effort should not be confused with there is no effort. Yes the players are trying but are they giving there all for 90 minutes? There were large periods of the game yesterday where we strolled around the pitch and were half a yard behind Oldham players and beaten to the majority of balls. Why? That's certainly not down to talent is it? Even Adkins admitted we lose too many individual battles and stature is a poor excuse at times. Del Geary was a midget but he gave his all and reaped the rewards

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Not sustainable over 46 games, no. but you'd expect to see it fairly regularly.
The opposition players don't crawl off the pitch, but they normally put in more effort than us. We've seen many teams drop-off towards the end of games due to the amount of work they put in first half.

Isn't this also a product of possession football - if we're playing it around the pitch pulling the opposition left and right then they're chasing shadows, they become demoralised and mentally and physically tired - which if done well is the point.

I thought we did this well yesterday against ten men. The temptation is often to lump it forwards but we constantly worked the spaces.

It tailed off after Sammon came on but I think that was possibly bc we weren't using him correctly - and he had a nightmare.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

Let's get this right. There is a lack of effort should not be confused with there is no effort. Yes the players are trying but are they giving there all for 90 minutes? There were large periods of the game yesterday where we strolled around the pitch and were half a yard behind Oldham players and beaten to the majority of balls. Why? That's certainly not down to talent is it? Even Adkins admitted we lose too many individual battles and stature is a poor excuse at times. Del Geary was a midget but he gave his all and reaped the rewards

There's something going on with the 50-50s. It was noticeable that sometimes even when an opposition player was outnumbered he'd still emerge with the ball.

I remember hearing a pundit say it's not about just being around in numbers, you have to be around in numbers and with a specific job to do eg Bury's first - there were plenty of players around it was 2 v 7 or something but the 2 beat the 7. Sometimes I think that description fits us. We're there, but responsibility is either not clear or shared and no-one really commits.

The only player I notice a real lack of urgency in is Howard, and it is infuriating. As posted elsewhere towards the end of the game yesterday Basham took a dead ball rather than leave it to Howard.

My understanding is that the general advice is to keep things calm - More Haste Less Speed - but we are sometimes painfully slow.

 

[Lane Ender]

Isn't this also a product of possession football - if we're playing it around the pitch pulling the opposition left and right then they're chasing shadows, they become demoralised and mentally and physically tired - which if done well is the point.

I thought we did this well yesterday against ten men. The temptation is often to lump it forwards but we constantly worked the spaces.

It tailed off after Sammon came on but I think that was possibly bc we weren't using him correctly - and he had a nightmare.

If you play Sammon you've got to play him as a twin striker he did well against Posh , Chesterfield and Blackpool

 

[spongebobblade]

There's something going on with the 50-50s. It was noticeable that sometimes even when an opposition player was outnumbered he'd still emerge with the ball.

I remember hearing a pundit say it's not about just being around in numbers, you have to be around in numbers and with a specific job to do eg Bury's first - there were plenty of players around it was 2 v 7 or something but the 2 beat the 7. Sometimes I think that description fits us. We're there, but responsibility is either not clear or shared and no-one really commits.

The only player I notice a real lack of urgency in is Howard, and it is infuriating. As posted elsewhere towards the end of the game yesterday Basham took a dead ball rather than leave it to Howard.

My understanding is that the general advice is to keep things calm - More Haste Less Speed - but we are sometimes painfully slow.

With regards to the 50-50s WHF can you see where I and many blades are coming from with regards lack of effort?? Because if it isn't lack of effort then I'm struggling to think of what it is. To me it appears we have a mindset of trying to do just enough and that a top six place is acceptable. A winners mentality would be a top two aim with a play off being a minimum/booby prize. We have a team that seriously lacks winners both mentally and physically. This is what I find so frustrating and I think quite a few blades are slowly like picking up on this, especially those who travel as the players appear to have a different attitude away from home ( just an observation)

 

[derryblade]

What was that just on way home from oldham and what a chance to get 2 points back on Walsall and keep up with the rest of the field.

What a total lack of effort by all the players. Playing ten men and a team 4th bottom with 30 mins to go and still can't put the ball in back of the net.

Not one good player on the pitch bar from Howard. If it wasn't for a brilliant save from Howard we would have lost that match.

How Collins is still wearing a united shirt I don't know. Watching him is so irritating and then he will score a goal and everyone forgets about all his bad mistakes he makes every match. He gives the ball away so easily and doesn't know how to go forward at all. Every single ball he plays he either gives away possession or passes backwards.

Think scougall had a absolute shocker of a game never had the ball at his feet and was far to weak. He had one decent chance that he should have put away but hit the bar.

Can't name one good player on the pitch today. Even done who score a brilliant goal but bar from that offered nothing at all. All round the team had a poor game from the minute the first whistle went you could tell that it was just going to be one of the games.

For the goal the corner was an average corner to the back post and then a free header on goal. He had so much time and had to put it in back of the net had no defender no where near him. At times it looked so easy for the to walk through the defence and midfield. We allowed them so much time on the ball and still looked this way when they had ten men.

We never made it look like we had an extra man on the field, and I feel adkins also made mistakes and feel like he should have put Campbell Ryce on as soon as they went down to ten men. Campbell ryce must be kicking him self wondering why he can't get on the pitch he is the man in form and still can't get a good run. They had a man sent off and another player on a yellow at the back why not let campbell come on and run and them and cause then problems and force them into stupid tackles.

Think adams offered very little as well bar from odd decent run from him and beating a few defenders. I know the Lad is still learning the game and don't get me wrong I think he is brilliant when he gets the ball down at his feet but getting it there seems to be a bit of a problem. And think he offers very little in defending he had a good game last home game and scored 2 brilliant goals and can't knock him for that, but today he seemed to be jogging around the pitch half heartedly and not really putting the effort in that he should have and should have been subbed.

Every single game we have to rely on out scoring the opposition. Can't buy a clean sheet at all and Howard seems to get almost the stick for this but don't think he is at fault, I know I have already mentioned Howard but really feel it could have been a lot worse bar from him savings us.

And have just heard on praise or grumble some one ringing up and saying to the United fans that was booing after the match that we don't want you? Well I was one of them people and stand by it, how can they play like that and you want to clap them off the pitch why would you want to clap the players and give them the impression they played well when they was poor from minute go.

Rant over.

Posted this earlier on way back from match but just realised I posted it on general chat instead of blades general chat like a idiot so here it is.

It might actually be they are giving 100%, mentally and physically that may be all they can give. It has been obvious for a while that we have a squad of players that are physically out muscled in too many games, mentality seems to be a problem as well, no matter how many times they make the same mistake they repeat it in the very next game.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

With regards to the 50-50s WHF can you see where I and many blades are coming from with regards lack of effort?? Because if it isn't lack of effort then I'm struggling to think of what it is. To me it appears we have a mindset of trying to do just enough and that a top six place is acceptable. A winners mentality would be a top two aim with a play off being a minimum/booby prize. We have a team that seriously lacks winners both mentally and physically. This is what I find so frustrating and I think quite a few blades are slowly like picking up on this, especially those who travel as the players appear to have a different attitude away from home ( just an observation)

Not for the first time this season a team, on this occasion Oldham, were walking through us first half. Bergen Blade has just posted his analysis of why, and why it changed. I think it's a great great post.